Global Courant
Image: MyBroadband
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has spoken about the fact that while Eskom is making efforts to fight crime at the utility, more needs to be done to eradicate criminal activity at the state-owned company.
Gordhan recently told Parliament that the situation in Eskom has improved. Gordhan said the following about the interventions they have begun to implement:
Management has improved. More people have been “thrown out of Eskom” who were responsible for the crime that took place. Zondo committee recommendations are being implemented. Money is being recovered from companies such as ABB and others who have committed crimes. People charged by the NPA have lawsuits due soon. “However, there is no question that that activity will continue on one scale or another,” Gordhan said.
The minister has also shown how much more intensive action and attention must be given both within Eskom itself and by Eskom itself, where it lies within their strength and possibilities to act preventively. He also reiterated the importance of law enforcement agencies doing their part to free Eskom from crime.
Fannie Masemola, the National Police Commissioner, recently launched Operation Shanela, and it aims to crack down on organized crime across the country and specifically “break the backbone of the Eskom syndicates.”
So far, since May 8, Operation Shanela has reportedly arrested more than 20,000 people for various crimes.
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa also said that crime, corruption and sabotage are a big part of the problem at Eskom and that organized crime syndicates with ties to the notorious construction mafia of KwaZulu-Natal had infiltrated Eskom’s procurement department.
Main image: MyBroadband
